OKALOOSA ISLAND — The parking lot at the Emerald Coast Convention Center was full by 8:30 a.m. Thursday with snowbirds flocking to the Winter Guest Fest.
The annual event sponsored by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce allows winter visitors to check out offerings from local restaurants and condominiums and learn about activities in the area.
“This is a way to let them know everything that’s going on,” said festival chairwoman Dena Critch. “You can’t beat this. They get coupons, free stuff, health checks, and it’s a really good way for them to see everybody and socialize.”
See photos from the event. >>
The event began 10 years ago in a Sam’s Club parking lot with a few hundred guests. More than 3,000 snowbirds attend nowadays.
Critch said this year’s attendance was nearly 800 more than last year, thanks in part to pushing the festival’s date from January to February when more visitors are in the area.
The convention center was bursting with snowbirds as soon as the event started. After just 30 minutes, Tony and Nancy Laluk of Branson, Mo., said they already had made the rounds and gotten some good information along the way.
“This is the first one we’ve been to,” Nancy said. “We’re looking to come again next year, and we found some great condominium information.”
Lucille Thoma and Bobbie Ellingwood, both of Fort Wayne, Ind., hadn’t seen their husbands since they arrived. The women had stopped by the restaurant booths to grab a slice of pizza, a little crab dip and a cup of coffee.
“This place is fantastic. I always have a really good time,” Ellingwood said. “There’s good food, handouts and information. I guess we’ll try to find our husbands now.”
Sitting at an empty table on the other side of the room, Terry Bowman and Dan Thoma — Lucille Thoma’s missing husband — said they were taking a break.
“We really look forward to this,” Dan said. “When you get old you get to where you can really enjoy the free things. Like that booth over there, Good Time Tours; they give out (playing) cards and I already got some pizza.
“Yeah, we really enjoy coming to this.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.